Power transmission project in West Sumatra in limbo for 8 years

State owned electricity firm PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) has resumed the development of 433 towers as part of the 150 kV high-voltage transmission lines over Bangko, Merangin and Sungai Penuh areas in West Sumatra after it has been forced to suspend the project for eight years due to the lack of supports from the local community.

?Unless there remain social obstacles caused by the local people, the project including a the development of a 2x30 MVA substation in Sungai Penuh can be completed within this year,? PLN?s West Sumatra General Manager Supriyadi said in a stamen sent by PLN on Friday.

Supriyadi said PLN has been trying for eight years to solve the power shortage problem faced by people in Sungai Penuh area by building a transmission line from Bangko and Merangin and a substation in Sungai Penuh to replace PLTD Kotololo diesel generator. However, the plan was never materialized due to social problems, including the refusal of the local people to let PLN build the transmission line over their lands.

Sungai Penuh receives power from PLTD Katolo and a small hydro in Mauralabuh. However, PLN is now imposing rotation blackout in the area because several units of PLTD Katolo are now under maintenance, while the Muaralabuh hydropower system is experiencing trouble, Supriyadi said.

Editing by Johannes Simbolon